Sailors surprise Aztecs

NEWPORT BEACH ? The Newport Harbor High baseball program added another eye-opening victory this season by rallying or a 2-1 triumph over La Quinta in the quarterfinals of the Beach Pit Classic on Monday at Newport Harbor High.

The Sailors (9-7), scored two in the sixth inning to overcome a 1-0 deficit and held on to topple the Aztecs (14-3), ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern Section Division III.

Newport Harbor advances to today’s semifinals against El Rancho at noon at Corona del Mar High.

The win avenged a 7-1 Newport Harbor loss to La Quinta in the Newport Elks Tournament on March 7.

“We played them in the [Newport Elks] second round and they just had their way with us,” Sailors Coach Evan Chalmers said. “I think next to winning our [Sea View League] opener against Woodbridge, this ranks right up there in terms of big wins. My big thing is that we continue to improve. [Beating La Quinta] is a marker of that.”

Junior Jarrett Daniel opened the sixth-inning rally for the Sailors with a single up the middle. With Daniel going on the pitch, junior P.J. Errington doubled, allowing Daniel to score the tying run. Senior Tyler Parker then lined a two-strike single to center field to plate Errington.

Parker, who relieved starter Dustin Schuler to begin the sixth, finished off the Aztecs to earn the victory, his third in five decisions. Parker struck out three and walked one in two hitless innings.

Schuler, a senior, surrendered only four hits in five innings. He fanned five and walked three.

La Quinta left six runners on.

“The kids were excited,” Chalmers said. “I give them credit. They’re very competitive and they’ve been very focused.”